Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Because But So Story Chain: Free Printable Game for Year 3
- ForYear 3
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Because But So Story Chain is a free printable game for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8). Children roll a word, then extend a story sentence using because, but or so. It is for 2 to 4 players, takes about 15 minutes, and needs one die and a pencil. Page 2 gives the grown up notes, help, a stretch idea and answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to the players and keep page 2 for the grown up. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Players pick a story card to start, such as a sentence about a dog running away or a door creaking open. They roll the die to get a joining word, then say how the sentence carries on. The next player does the same, so the story grows one sentence at a time. There are cards to cut out and a table to fill in as you play.
- Roll
- Word
- The dog ran away
- It started to rain
- We found a map
- The cake was gone
- Mia lost her shoe
- A door creaked open
One starter, three joining words
Starter: The kite got stuck in the tree.
This starter is not one of the cards. It shows how one starter can grow in three different ways.
Because: give a reason- Say the starter out loud.
- Add because and think about why it happened.
- The kite got stuck in the tree because the wind was strong.
- Say the starter again.
- Add but and think of something that works against the first idea.
- The kite got stuck in the tree, but Sam did not give up.
- Say the starter once more.
- Add so and think of a result.
- The kite got stuck in the tree, so Sam asked his mum to help.
How a round of the chain works
Pick a starter
Choose a story card and read it aloud. Everyone hears the same opening sentence, so the story begins in the same place.
Roll and listen
The player whose turn it is rolls the die and finds the word in the table. Everyone else listens to what comes next.
Extend and pass
The player says the sentence again and finishes it with the rolled word. The group checks that it makes sense, then the next player takes a turn.
Why practise joining words?
A conjunction is a word that joins ideas together. Because, but and so are three of the most useful ones. Because gives a reason. But sets one idea against another. So tells us a result. Using them well helps children move from short, separate sentences to writing that explains what happened and why.
Saying sentences aloud first makes writing easier. Children can try an idea, hear whether it works and change it before a pencil is picked up. A story chain adds a reason to listen, because each player has to build on what the last person said. That mix of speaking, listening and thinking is why it suits Year 3.
Skills and curriculum link
- Conjunctions
- Storytelling
- Listening
- Extending sentences
- Choosing the best word
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | English | Writing: vocabulary, grammar and punctuation | Year 3 |
What children will be able to do
- I can make a sentence longer with because, but and so.
- I can pick the best joining word for my idea.
- I can build a story one sentence at a time.
Ideas to help with extending sentences
- Say it firstAsk your child to say the whole sentence aloud before writing it in the table. If it sounds odd, they can fix it before it goes on paper.
- Ask the questionFor because, ask why. For but, ask what could get in the way. For so, ask what happened next. The question helps them find an idea.
- Keep the starterRead the starter again each time and then add the new part. This shows that the new part belongs to the same sentence.
- Many answers workThere is more than one good way to finish a sentence. Praise ideas that make sense and fit the joining word.
Key words
- ConjunctionA joining word that links two ideas in a sentence.
- BecauseA joining word that gives a reason.
- ButA joining word that shows a different or surprising idea.
- SoA joining word that shows what happened as a result.
- SentenceA group of words that makes sense on its own. It starts with a capital letter and usually ends with a full stop.
- Story chainA story made by different people adding one part each, in turn.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the players. Keep page 2 for the grown up.
- Read the rules aloud together, so everyone plays the same game. Cut out the cards if the sheet asks you to.
- Pick a story card to start. Take turns to roll the die, find the word and extend the sentence.
- Fill in the table as you play, and talk about each choice. Ask, "Does that make sense?"
- Check the notes and answers on page 2. Come back another day, because a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use only one word at a time before mixing them. Play a few rounds with just because, so children get used to giving a reason. Then add but, and then so. Let the grown up say a sentence first as a model.
To stretch confident children
Try to use all three words in one story. Start with one card and see how long the chain can grow. Then write the best chain down as a short paragraph, adding capital letters and full stops.
Make it a game
If a sentence makes no sense, the next player may say "try again" and the speaker has another go. You can also play as a team, where everyone adds to one story and tries to keep it going.
Talk about it
- Which joining word was easiest to use, and why?
- Can you finish the same starter in two different ways?
- How did because change what the sentence told us?
- When would you use but instead of so?
- What do you think happens next in the chain, and how do you know?
- Which sentence in our story was the funniest or most surprising?
Take it off the page
Story strips
Write a starter on a strip of paper. Each person adds a part on a new strip. Link the strips into a paper chain and read the story aloud.
Car or bedtime chain
Play without paper. One person says a starter and the next adds because, but or so. Keep the story going round the group.
Because, but, so pictures
Draw one simple picture. Then say three sentences about it, one with because, one with but and one with so.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Keep rounds short and playful. Listen to their ideas and praise sentences that make sense, even if they are not the ones you expected.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table game. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting. Page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider English plan. It pairs well with reading aloud and everyday talk. You can use it again for brothers and sisters, or for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in learning
Before this, children learn to join ideas with simple words such as and, and begin to use but and because. They also learn that a sentence needs to make sense on its own. Because But So builds on that by asking them to choose the right word for the idea.
After this, children move on to other ways of adding detail to sentences. In Year 4 they meet fronted adverbials, which put extra information at the start of a sentence. Being confident with joining words first makes longer, more varied writing much easier.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- How did the word because change your sentence?
- When would you use but instead of so?
- What happens next in the chain, and how do you know?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Because But So Story Chain for?
It is written for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8), in Key Stage 2. Younger children can join in with a grown up, and older children can try the stretch idea on page 2.
- What will children practise?
Children practise extending sentences with the conjunctions because, but and so. They also practise storytelling and listening, because each player has to build on what the last player said.
- How do I play it?
Play with 2 to 4 players. You need one die and a pencil. Pick a story card to start, roll the die, find the word and extend the sentence. The game takes about 15 minutes.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use only one word at a time before mixing them. Play a few rounds with just because, then add but, then so. A grown up can model the first sentences to show how it works.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or a new group, and it prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
- Does it link to the National Curriculum?
Yes, at strand level. It supports English at Year 3 in the Writing strand for vocabulary, grammar and punctuation. It is a practice and play activity that supports classroom learning, and it does not replace it.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.